Clearing the Air Study Notes

Clearing the Air: How the Smoking Ban Was Won

Chapter 1: The Campaign for Smokefree Air

• Date of Beginning: April 2005
• Context: Launch of the most organized effort to eliminate smoking in Michigan workplaces.
      - Initial Struggles:
          - Hostile opposition from various groups.
          - Difficulty in garnering support from lawmakers for initial legislation.
          - Setbacks prior to the press conference, affecting morale.
• Campaign Details:
      - Coalition named Campaign for Smokefree Air, consisting of various health organizations.
      - Planned kick-off event on April 19 at state Capitol.
      - Key Issue: Crafting messaging that would avoid framing the campaign as anti-business, due to Republican-controlled legislature.
• National Context:
      - Only eight states (California, Delaware, Connecticut, Florida, New York, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts) had enacted comprehensive smokefree laws by early 2005.
      - Prominent figures supporting the campaign include Senator Ray Basham, a notable advocate for smokefree environments.
• Previous Tobacco Victory:
      - In 2004, health organizations successfully lobbied for increased tobacco taxes, termed “user fees” instead of traditional taxes.
      - Focus shift towards promoting mandatory smokefree environments as an effective public policy approach to reduce tobacco use.
• Campaign Support & Resources:
      - Media relations managed by John Bailey & Associates, with lobbying and legal support from Wiener Associates.
      - Strong backing from Michigan Health and Hospital Association and Michigan State Medical Society.
• Opposition Coalition:
      - Included powerful entities like Big Tobacco and Michigan Restaurant Association, with multiple lobbying firms.
      - Campaign felt more like David vs. Goliath, due to funding disparities.

Chapter 2: Building the Coalition

• Steering Committee Composition:
      - Core representatives from health organizations: American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association.
      - Notable figures include Judy Stewart (media contact) and Katherine Knoll (engagement advocate).
• Legislative Challenges:
      - Legislative leaders (Ken Sikkema and Craig DeRoche) indicated unwillingness to consider smokefree bills.
      - Internal conflicts emerged regarding strategy - push for a clean bill versus a more feasible one.
• Polling & Data Gathering:
      - Conducted statewide polls revealing substantial public support for smokefree legislation:
          - two-thirds favored smokefree environments.
          - 90% acknowledged health risks from secondhand smoke.
      - Efforts to collect scientific data regarding secondhand smoke’s health impacts and socioeconomic effects
• Grassroots Mobilization:
      - Expansion of coalition partners from seven to over 200 organizations.
      - Active outreach to business groups, although initially unsuccessful in recruiting Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.
      - Engagement with faith-based organizations significantly boosted coalition status and public support.
      - Notable grassroots action included coffee hours with legislators yielding personal testimonies from advocates.
• Media Strategies & Actions:
      - Created a dedicated campaign website (www.MakeMiAirSmokefree.org) for resources and advocacy efforts.
          - Used as a platform for sign-ups, public engagement, and tracking national progress on smokefree policies.

Chapter 3: The 2006 Elections

• Key Event: Release of U.S. Surgeon General's report confirming the dangers of secondhand smoke, becoming a pivotal argument for the campaign.
• Political Landscape:
      - Internal Revenue Service restrictions on nonprofit organizations prohibit endorsing candidates but encouraged advocacy.
      - Increased media scrutiny on gubernatorial candidates regarding smokefree air laws.
• Impact of Other State Elections:
      - Elections in Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada highlighted the political battleground surrounding smokefree initiatives, motivating Michigan’s campaign.
• Legislative Strategy Shifts:
      - The campaign endured setbacks during the lame-duck session; however, committed to strategic legislative push instead of a ballot initiative.
• Grassroots Engagement:
      - Advocates engaged in town halls, successfully voicing support for smokefree legislation.
      - Increasing public support and continuation of grassroots mobilization efforts.

Chapter 4: Hope for 2007

• Political Changes:
      - Democrats regained control of the House, leading to increased optimism for the campaign.
• Legislative Strategy Adjustments:
      - Collaborative efforts with new House leadership to draft a stronger smokefree bill.
      - Need for public testimony to demonstrate widespread support for smokefree policies.
• Research Projects:
      - Conducted air quality tests in restaurants to disprove the efficacy of nonsmoking sections, leading to significant media attention.
• Legislative Progress:
      - Introduction of new bills in the renewed session, with prominent figures testifying on the health impacts of secondhand smoke.
• Grassroots Tactics:
      - Mobilized constituents to interact with legislators, demonstrating the strength of public opinion against smokefree air legislation exemptions.
• First Major Victory:
      - In mid-2007, successful passage of House Bill 4163 out of the House Commerce Committee, garnering support despite pushback against exemptions.

Chapter 5: Gamechanger

• Shifts in Strategy:
      - Intention to prove smokefree air is less a partisan issue through targeted polling of Republican voters.
• Post-Government Shutdown Tactics:
      - Town hall forums utilized for direct advocacy and discussion with legislators about the smokefree bill.
• Crisis Communication:
      - Need to maintain public engagement and legislative pressure through grassroots initiatives.
• Victory through Compromise:
      - Achievements through the passage of a clean smokefree air bill despite significant opposition and various exemptions proposed by lobbyists.

Chapter 6: Headed to Conference

• Conference Committee Dynamics:
      - Shift focus to resolving differences between House and Senate versions of the smokefree air legislation.
• Decision-Making:
      - Compromise discussions surrounding exemptions for casinos and cigar bars continued amidst advocacy for comprehensive legislation.
• Expectations vs. Reality:
      - Despite optimism, conference committee failed to resolve legislative discrepancies, postponing progress into the following year.

Chapter 7: Soul Searching

• Coalition Reflection:
      - Assessment of campaign pathways - to continue legislative efforts or pursue a ballot initiative for comprehensive reform.
• Coalition Expansion:
      - Coalition grew to over 270 organizations, bolstered by unity and momentum of smokefree air advocacy across the nation.

Chapter 8: The Home Stretch

• Intense Grassroots Push:
      - Utilization of social media platforms to galvanize support, innovative outreach strategies mobilizing constituents around smokefree advocacy.
• Legislative Compromise Advocated:
      - New agreement reached allowing exemptions in exchange for a more comprehensive approach without jeopardizing progress.
• Finalization and Victory:
      - Successful passage of a comprehensive smokefree air bill concluding a five-year campaign, culminating in a celebratory public signing ceremony on December 18, 2008.